SEDALIA — Although the holiday is supposed to be festive with gift-giving, family, food, and decorations, one must be aware that there is an increase in fire hazards to keep in mind. According to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are among the leading days of the year for home fires.
People can avert an increased risk of home fires this month by practicing awareness and planning. Awareness of potential fire hazards and prevention keeps the holiday season safe and worry-free.
Monday morning, Dec. 18, Sedalia Fire Chief Matt Irwin talked with the Sedalia Democrat to provide tips for keeping the holidays safe.
"November and December are generally our busiest months here at the Sedalia Fire Department," Irwin noted. "And that has a lot to do with the holidays, a lot to do with cooking, unattended cooking, those kinds of things."
He added Christmas trees and decorations can also contribute to fires.
"If someone is using a real live Christmas tree, please make sure they are watering it," he said. "Because if they're not watering it, at some point, we're going to come water it — because it will be on fire.
"Real Christmas trees dry out," he continued. "So, they need that water to keep them moist."
He also noted a home has a more significant electrical load during the holidays due to lights and other Christmas decorations.
"It is getting colder, so you tie into the electrical load for Christmas decorations, Christmas lights, and then space heaters — this pulls a significant draw on your house," Irwin explained. "So, just be cautious when you're doing that."
People should be aware of whether the house lights dim when the furnace comes on or if the Christmas lights dim. If using an extension cord, use a heavy-duty cord, and don't use more than one.
"If your extension cord starts to twist and look like a corkscrew, at either end of the cord, that is your extension cord heating up and shrinking," he noted. "It's pulling in on itself, and it's eventually going to short.
"So, look at your extension cords and make sure they are all in good shape," he continued. "And one of the biggest things you need is a smoke detector, and you need to make sure the smoke detectors have batteries in them."
Irwin added that SFD has free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for those who need them in the city or the county.
"Those are really the things you need to look out for," he noted. "And just be vigilant. Don't leave your Christmas lights on when you go to bed or if you're going to take a nap."
Although they smell good, he added one also needs to be aware of using candles during the holidays.
"Candles are a very dangerous thing," he said. "I've joked about this; at my house, they are everywhere. My wife loves candles, but I walk through the house blowing them out.
"Unattended candles, specifically the ones that are the long, narrow ones, they can be very dangerous," he continued. "Especially if they're near your curtains."
He added any amount of breeze, such as a ceiling fan or even a person walking through a room, can cause a curtain to blow into a candle's flame.
"The rule at my house and the rule we try to live by is that if you're in the room with the candle, you can have your candle," Irwin said. "If you're going to walk out to go to the kitchen or go somewhere else for a little bit, blow the candle out. Do not leave the candle unattended in your house."
NFPA offered statistics on home fires caused by candles: An estimated average of 5,700 home fires started by candles caused an average of 80 civilian deaths, 560 civilian injuries, and $247 million in direct property damage per year between 2017 and 2021. Year-round, 33% of fires began with candles; in December, the number jumped to 46%. Christmas is the peak day for candle fires, at an average of 35 fires, roughly 2.5 times the daily average; Christmas Eve ranked second. New Year's Day is ranked third, with 30 fires per day.
"Put a Freeze on Winter Fires," an annual NFPA campaign with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), works to educate the public about ways to stay safe during the colder months, offering tip sheets and other resources to help reduce the risk of heating fires and other winter hazards.
NFPA's winter holiday resources include tips and guidelines for helping reduce the risk of fires. For more information, visit www.nfpa.org. Everyone can view all NFPA codes and standards online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
Faith Bemiss-McKinney can be reached at 660-530-0289.
